It's time to look at the case notes & see why 'LA Noire' is worth playing. First off, the video game was published by Rockstar Games; known for their 'Grand Theft Auto' & 'Red Dead Redemption' series. Second off, unlike, those other games where you play the criminal; you played a good cop here. While, this game concept might sound generic to those unfamiliar with the history of gaming; in truth, unlike other media, where police stories are cover in a weekly basics, gaming doesn't have, much to offer too those gamers wanting visualize, what a life is like to protect and serve the community. Honestly, the last game, I can recall, having something similar to anything similar to police work, was 1987's video game, 'Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel'. It's extremely rare to see a game like this. Perhaps, because unruly quick-paced first person shooter games is lot more fun to play than slow-paced, meditative detective work. While, there is still brutal graphic action in this game; it clear by the gameplay that this isn't for everybody. Inspired by pulp fiction novels & film noirs of the 1930s & 1940s, along with drawing inspiration from real-life crimes like the Black Dahlia case & Mickey Cohen; the game is set in a stunning recreation of Los Angeles from that time period, with most of the gameplay focus on your ability to read people's faces, search out clues, and determine, who is lying or not, rather than chaotic shootouts, car chases & explosives. While, 'LA Noire' is still a breath of fresh air, some of the missions has nothing to do with the main narrative of Cole Phelps (Voiced & Motion Capture by Aaron Station), a police man determined to restore order to the violent streets of 1940s Los Angeles, despite the corruption within his own police department, trying to stop him. Without spoiling the game developed by Team Bondi, too much, there were some other things that bug me about 'LA Noire', such as odd abandoning of narrative themes, such as voice narrator, who disappears halfway throughout the game and never returns. Then, there is the odd cut-scenes newspaper story sequences, elements that spoil the twist, before the main plot even get there, that you find throughout the game in very odd areas. Most of these parts, really did leave me scratching my head; as the game doesn't do a good job, developing the backstory of who Cole Phelps is, and who his lovers, partners, and friends, are, beside what show during the cases. More focus, should had been made in making the supporting characters, stand out more than the minor characters for each case. Another problem, I got with the game is the interrogations portions. Don't get me wrong, they are captivating, well-delivered dialogue scenes. However, the game is bit too easy on the challenge to judge the trustworthiness of a witness' statement. Not only does, suspects give, really outrageous, easy to figure out, facial expressions & posture, in otherwise should be challenging areas, but the opinions between calling out, "doubt" and "lie", doesn't make much differs. The crimes solving outcomes are still predetermined, and there isn't much punishment for getting, a case wrong. If anything, there is no sense of game over. The only game over screen comes from dying or allowing a fleeing suspect to escape. This makes you less of a real detective and more of a page turner, destined to always reach the next chapter so long as you make a choice -- any choice. I would love the choices, you make, alters the game's entire storyline, a little more; like some characters and small plot points being replaced throughout the timelines or you getting demoted if you do a horrible job. Because of the lack of stalks, some of the missions come off, as something more like a mindless repetitive marathon of chores from a second job than an engaging television-like cop series. It took me, a while to beat "LA Noire'. Several months for a 14 hour game, due to parts of the game, being too boring or uninteresting. Nevertheless, whenever, 'L.A. Noire' breaks free from the repetitive cycle, it can be fun to play. A great example is whenever, you have to solve riddles, leading you to landmarks across Los Angeles or playing as a different character, such as private investigator, Jack Kelso (Voiced and Motion Capture by Gil McKinney). However, this types of examples are rare. The other nitpick, I got with this game, is the 'MotionScan'. While, the brand new, facial technology indeed help delivers pure performances from a very talented group of actors & help push video games closer to true cinematic experiences. It also gave the nerving effect of the Uncanny Valley. Also some of the actions from the human game model doesn't match, well with the movement of the skin. It comes across, as a bit jarring to see the body not matching, what is happening with the face. Annoying graphical glitches, here and there. Regardless of that, the game makes great use of the surroundings. It really does capture the atmosphere of living in the 1940s, both in sites and sound. Just wish, the game was a little more open-world & immersing. I really wanted to explore & do other things, besides solving cases. It would be nice to check out, more of the night-life scene, find all the famous L.A locations, find hidden gems and talk to random characters. Trust me, 'LA Noire' would have been stronger with greater focus on the experience and less concern for including traditional game elements like 'Grand Theft Auto'. Because of that lack, there isn't much reason to return, after beating the game. Even the ending is kinda anticlimax. Overall: Even with its flaws & redundancies, 'L.A. Noire' is still entertaining & enjoyable game. It's worth playing, even if it doesn't have much of a lasting appeal.
Review of L.A. Noire
L.A. Noire
(2011 Video Game)
I'm going with my intuition. There is no doubt about it. LA Noire is a fine game.
4 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers